Where to stay in Orlando

Exploring Orlando

Orlando has been nicknamed as ‘The City Beautiful’ and the world’s ‘Theme Park Capital,’ and it is easy to see why. The city plays hosts possibly the most famous brand on the planet, Disney, with its four exciting main attractions that are fun for all the family. Movie-lovers will enjoy the Universal Studios with its movie-themed rides, while first-timers and regular visitors will relish getting stuck into the splash-tastic waterparks, golf courses in Kissimmee or the enchanting Everglades. The magic of Orlando is hard to resist, as millions of big kids and little kids the world over will testify.

Accommodations in Orlando

There is a range of options for all travelers. The most popular hotel in Orlando is the Condos by Holiday Villas Kissimmee, which has been booked 5 times from our Hotels.com verified guests. Our guests also highly recommended Ellis Exclusive Villas - Clermont in Orlando as it has been reserved 5 times.

Sightseeing in Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando is part of Universal Orlando Resort, the second largest theme park in Orlando after Walt Disney World. It is operated by media and entertainment company NBCUniversal, which is famous for producing such films as Jaws, ET, Jurassic Park and the Harry Potter series. The park opened in June 1990 with an entertainment theme, which is predominantly focused around movies and television, competing directly with Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The massive theme park hosts around six million visitors per year, making it the USA’s eighth most visited park. This is due to its attractions being based on films and characters that the Studios have created, including ‘Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride’, ‘ET Adventure’, ‘The Simpsons Ride’ and the more recent ‘Transformers The Ride 3-D’. These are among some of the park’s most popular rides, though there are plenty of others spread across its eight themed areas, not to mention its annual festivals and events.

Lying southwest of Orlando, Maingate East is situated close to the Disney World Theme Parks. Stay here to access Hollywood Studios, where you can be entertained by roller coasters, backstage tours and loveable characters from the Disney franchise. Maingate East also hosts the I-RIDE trolley along International Drive as well as plenty of varied dining options. Maingate West is closest to the wildlife habitats of the sprawling Animal Kingdom while, golf resorts can also be found here by the dozen.

Transportation in Orlando

Renting a car is recommended for convenience. Most of the places you'll want to visit are a 10-minute drive of Interstate 4, or I-4, as it’s called. That free highway runs diagonally from southwest to northeast, connecting Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, the Convention Center, Universal Orlando, and downtown Orlando. Of course, you also have the Disney Transportation System (DTS) which is free of charge and will connect you to all the Disney theme parks. However, keep in mind that you have to add in waiting time for your commute.